SURA 53. Najm, or the Star
1. By the Star when it goes down,-
2. Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.
3. Nor does he say [aught] of [his own] Desire.
4. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:
5. He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
6. Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared [in stately form];
7. While he was in the highest part of the horizon:
8. Then he approached and came closer,
9. And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or [even] nearer;
10. So did [Allah] convey the inspiration to His Servant- [conveyed] what He
[meant] to convey.
11. The [Prophet’s] [mind and] heart in no way falsified that which he saw.
12. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?
13. For indeed he saw him at a second descent,
14. Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass:
15. Near it is the Garden of Abode.
16. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded [in mystery unspeakable!]
17. [His] sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!
18. For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!

Reflect

1. Knowledge is lucidly re-mentioned in surat An-Najm, stressing the importance of verifying knowledge and taking it from its credible sources. The surah presents for us two paths: the path of revelation that we explained at the beginning of the surah and the path of those who follow their surmise and illusions.
2. The surah then reaches a point where Allah (SWT) proves their shallowness and poor knowledge, “That is their attainment of knowledge. Surely your Lord is He Who knows best the ones who have erred away from His way, and He knows best the ones who are guided” (TMQ, 53:30). Hence, the message of the surah is ‘authenticate your sources before making judgments and when talking about knowledge.’